Kochi: Elders tell their wards to ‘learn from the kid next door’ whenever the latter comes up with an excellent showing. In ISL football, ‘learn from Zico’s Goa’ seems to be the advice for Kerala Blasters. Blasters have a lot to learn from Goa’s 4-1 demolition of Delhi Dynamos. After all it is Dynamos that the Blasters take on next on Sunday.
Another lesson for Blasters is Goa taking the lead in the first half itself in the game that destroyed Delhi. Blasters need to do this in order to put to rest the complaint that they lack sharp strikers and to bring the team back on the goal trail. Score early, keep attacking without succumbing to the lethargy of a goal scored, strive for a goal till the final moment, keep constant vigil at the opposition penalty box, deftly analyse the team-mates’ moves in the goal zone and consider them for an opportunity at going for the goal instead of making solo attempts at the goal and do not give the opposition a chance to steady their fort with needless dribbling.
Blasters are sixth in the points tally with nine points. They have two wins and three draws. Six games remain to be played. The game against Delhi Dynamos will be followed by games against Kolkata, Goa, Chennaiyin, North East United and Pune.
Of these all except the Pune match are on home ground. Their supporters would like Blasters to win all six games. Blasters are yet to concede a goal in their home ground. The contests against Kolkata, Chennaiyin and North East can be expected to be bitter.
Still, four wins in six games could fetch 12 points. Add two draw too and it could be 14 points. If that happens, playing in the semifinal will be a reality.
In a ball game, players often discover form by virtue of scintillating performance in a single game. If Ian Hume, Penn Orji or C.S. Sabeeth gets such a game, it will trigger the goal instinct in the boots and self-confidence in the minds. That could change the course of the game. The opponents can hardly take the psychological upper hand over a team that has made winning a habit. Even their steps will falter.
In the recent World Cup, Brazil found their confidence thinning away from the moment the first whistle rang in their encounter with Germany. The journey forward is akin to a leaking vessel at sea. Blasters do not have the luxury of time before they make winning a habit. Only when they defeat Delhi, who stand vanquished before Goa, and then Goa as well can they hope to feel like winners. These two away games will be crucial.